For Immediate Release
June 10, 2005

CHICAGO - The American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office, the New-York Historical Society and the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History announce the selection of 40 sites to host the traveling exhibition, “
Alexander Hamilton: The Man Who Made Modern America.” Support for the exhibit is provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The exhibit examines Hamilton's central role during the Revolutionary War and Founding period (1774-1804) in creating the economic, constitutional, social, journalistic, political and foreign policy templates for modern America. It will acquaint visitors with a statesman and visionary whose life inspired discussion and controversy and shaped the America we live in 200 years after his death.

The traveling exhibition is based on a major exhibition of the same title on display at the New-York Historical Society from September 10, 2004 until February 28, 2005.

The libraries selected to receive the “
Alexander Hamilton: The Man Who Made Modern America” exhibit are (in alphabetical order by state):

T wo copies of the exhibit will travel to 40 libraries around the country between November 2005 and May 2009. Each exhibit will consist of six colorful, freestanding 18-foot-long photo panels. Each section will examine a different period in Hamilton's life, from his birth through his experience in the American Revolution and his career in politics, to the infamous duel with Aaron Burr that fatally wounded him, and the legacy he left in many arenas of government.

Libraries selected for the tour will host the exhibition for a six-week period. Participating libraries are expected to present at least two free public programs featuring a lecture or discussion by a qualified scholar on exhibition themes. All showings of the exhibition will be free and open to the public.

The New-York Historical Society is dedicated to exploring the connections between the events of the past and our lives today. Founded in 1804, its programs examine the richly layered history of New York City and State and the nation, fulfilling its dual role as a public educational center and scholarly institution. It holds one of the country's greatest collections of American art and historical artifacts, and one of the most comprehensive independent research libraries in the country.

Founded in 1994, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History promotes the study and love of American history. Increasingly national and international in scope, the Institute's initiatives target audiences ranging from students to scholars to the general public. The Institute creates history-centered schools and academic research centers; organizes seminars and enrichment programs for educators; produces print and electronic publications and traveling exhibitions; and sponsors lectures by eminent historians.

The Public Programs Office is a unit of the American Library Association, the oldest and largest library association in the world. The mission of the ALA Public Programs Office is to foster cultural programming as an integral part of library service. Established in 1990, the office helps thousands of libraries nationwide develop and host programs that encourage dialogue among community members and works to establish libraries as cultural centers in their communities.